Steel On Tour

Following the success of the 2024 World Premiere of Lee Mattinson’s Steel at TBTL, the show will embark on a UK wide tour in 2025. Find out if it's coming to a venue near you below.
Two lads. Twelve hours. One million pounds.
On the wet West Cumbrian coast, James and Kamran have been mates for more than a decade. At seventeen, the world should be theirs but Workington’s a ghost town – an unemployment blackspot where lasses drink Bacardi by the pint and boys don’t cry.
When James discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system, the lads are forced on a town-wide treasure hunt where annihilated aunties, Snakebite-drenched drag queens and a zombie Princess Diana lay in wait. But who rightfully owns the mile of steel? Why is Kamran in such a strop? And what really happens in the pub down by the docks?
In a town once rich with coal seams and ore, with community and carnivals, with sea air and ale, James and Kamran are fed up with feeling different – tonight they’re painting the town technicolour and asking what it means to be a man in a play about first loves, forging identities and the wild, wild hearts of teenage boys.

Tour dates and how to book tickets

 

THE GATHER, ENNERDALE

Thursday 1 May

kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk, 01900 826448

 

GLOBE HALL, IREBY

Friday 2 May

kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk, 01900 826448

 

KIRKGATE ARTS AND HERITAGE, COCKERMOUTH

Saturday 3 May

 kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk, 01900 826448

 

THE DUKES, LANCASTER

Tuesday 6 – Wednesday 7 May

dukeslancaster.org, 01524 598500

 

BURNLEY MECHANICS THEATRE

Thursday 8 May

burnleymechanics.ticketsolve.com, 01282 664400

 

SHEFFIELD THEATRES: TANYA MOISEIWITSCH PLAYHOUSE

 Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 May

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk, 0114 249 6000

 

THE CORO, ULVERSTON

Tuesday 27 May

On sale soon: thecoro.co.uk, 01229 820000

 

BARROW TOWN HALL

Wednesday 28 May

theatrebythelake.com, 017687 74411

 

CASTERTON VILLAGE HALL

Thursday 29 May

highlightsnorth.co.uk, 07531 143762

 

AMBLE PARISH HALL

Friday 30 May

highlightsnorth.co.uk, 07724 687107

 

ARNSIDE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE

Saturday 31 May 

highlightsnorth.co.uk, 07980 077084

 

CONTACT, MANCHESTER

Tuesday 3 June

Book via our website here, 017687 74411

 

HULL TRUCK THEATRE

Thursday 5 June

www.hulltruck.co.uk, 01482 323638

 

THE NEW PLAZA, PORT TALBOT

Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 June

Book via our website here, 017687 74411

 

London venue to be announced soon.

 

Reviews

“A real tribute to the spirit of Workington and should be treasured” ★★★★.5 Northern Arts Review

“Beautiful and breath-stopping” ★★★★ The Stage

★★★★★ “Fast-paced, exhausting… surprisingly emotional and very powerful” What’s Good to Do

“A story that’s told with emotion and enthusiasm, infused with a west coast dialect” Stagey Lady

Well-written, 90-minute, 12-hour misadventure” Theatre Reviews North

“This month’s hottest ticket” The Cumberland and Westmorland Herald

“Keeps you on the edge of your seat” Cumbria 24                                   

“Raw emotion is exposed with heartache and humour” Mag North